Nearly 30 people visited city hall to listen as seven others stood to testify for the commission. A court reporter recorded every word as evidence in the matter. Beth Trombold, one of five commissioners of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, looked on as Sarah Parrot, an attorney examiner for the state, led the proceedings.

The hearing was held because AEP Ohio filed a request in November 2016 to raise its electric security plan — the consumers’ base rate. Similar requests were granted by the commission in 2009, 2012 and 2015. Statements collected Monday will be presented to the full commission June 6 in Columbus during an evidentiary hearing, during which commissioners will decide if the rate increases will be allowed.

If the commission allows the increase, AEP Ohio customers will see their base rate rise from $8.40 to $18.40 monthly, according to a fact sheet provided by Ohio Citizen Action, a nonprofit monitoring the state’s commission.”

Members supporting fair electric rates in Ohio as of August 12, 2017

25,666 members have signed our support statement in person at their door.

16,597 members have sent public comments to the Public Utilities Commission asking them to deny American Electric Power, Dayton Power & Light and Duke Energy significant increases in mandatory, residential fixed fees, also known as the “customer charge.”

7,839 Ohio Citizen Action members have sent handwritten letters to their state legislators in support of clean energy.

1,407 Ohio Citizen Action members have called their state legislators, asking them to oppose HB239 and SB 155, American Electric Power’s latest coal bailout request.